Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1 - Beginner to Intermediate

Book 1 of Modern Guitar Chord Styles is based on a unique sequence of chord forms that build strength and musicality right from the first lessons. The chords used, and the order in which they are introduced, are based on linking forms that have common notes which facilitates development of smooth transitions between chord shapes.

A clear step-by-step method introduces chords in a logical order of physical comfort and the progression exercises are written around changes linked by a common finger. Even a complete beginner is starting to play familiar sounding chord progressions within the first ten pages. From there on the progressions become gradually more detailed as one new chord is added at a time.

Of equal importance is the use of professional standard Rhythm slash notation. This is used in preference to TAB because it is the clearest way to present guitar rhythms. (TAB doesn’t display rhythms well and this is one of the reasons it isn’t used in professional settings (yes, really - TAB is not used in professional music settings!). Learning rhythm slash notation enables the learner to quickly develop good guitar strumming ability.

In tandem with the use of professional rhythm slash notation is the focus on developing secure alternate strumming and the recognition of the most common, and widely used guitar rhythm patterns. This is built up via a series of rhythm reading exercises and chord progression studies. By the time you are up to page 23 you are already have enough knowledge and developing ability to be playing songs of your own choice.

Chord-change techniques used by professional players are also examined in detail and developed through a series of insightful exercises. These are techniques rarely written into TABs and commercial sheet music, or are not explained properly but that make a huge difference to your playing.

Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1 is designed for beginner to intermediate guitarists, whether adult students or children aged 10+.

Beginners will find it easy to get started with MGCS1 ; the carefully graded chord and rhythm exercises build your finger strength and timing understanding in a clear step-by-step manner. Intermediate players will benefit by refining their rhythm techniques, exploring new strumming patterns and learning arpeggio styles. MGCS1provides a structured pathway, road tested and proven by years of successful results from students and teachers alike.

Most beginner guitar books start students off with the challenging task of learning to read music notation.  Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1concentrates on the importance of chords, strumming patterns and rhythm guitar; a core job for guitar that is often overlooked, under-valued, or too simplified in beginner resources. MGCS1 combines must-know chord forms with practical rhythm exercises to develop and consolidate your right-left coordination. This is the most important thing that needs to happen for beginners and leads to being able to learn solo guitar techniques.  MGCS1’s structured approach has provided this essential grounding for thousands of aspiring players. Most importantly, it prepares students to be able to play whole, recognizable songs, within the first 20 pages.

The first half is dedicated to getting you playing basic popular songs well enough to be confident of getting through whole songs and making them recognisable. The second half adds all the interesting extras that we hear so often. Beginning with a helpful summary of ‘embellishment chords’ we then add major 7th chords and advanced timing. This includes 16th note strums in rhythm slash notation and leads into more complex rhythms and a more sophisticated level of progressions and presentation.

Yes, once you have become proficient with the most common chord forms and rhythms we introduce finger picking and it’s main styles of use. It’s best to develop basic rhythm ability with chord changes before adding fingerpicking patterns into the mix; less complexity early on will guarantee good results later!

Yes, but, once again, only after you have become proficient with the common chord forms and developed enough hand strength; bar-chords are too hard for beginner players and you need to build up to learning to use them.